Musaffah Port has reopened for business and expects soon to begin a Dh1.5 billion (US$408.4 million) channel that opens the industrial area to shipping traffic.

The port operator, Abu Dhabi Terminals, said the reopening followed a "refreshment phase" in which the company refocused its strategy for the port, which deals with heavy cargo including oil and gas equipment, steel and aluminium fabricators.

The first cargo after the re-opening arrived on Monday by barge from Abu Dhabi's primary cargo facility, Mina Zayed.

"Abu Dhabi Terminals resumed operations at Musaffah Port," the company said, describing the facility as "strategically located in the heart of Abu Dhabi's industrial area... [and] ideally suited to industrial and project cargo operations".

The National Marine Dredging Company, based in Abu Dhabi, is the main contractor for the 63km, 200 metre-wide channel.

The waterway has a 9 metre draught and has been constructed for the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, the agency overseeing much of the emirate's zoning plans and urban developments.